Zion Williamson has one last NCAA highlight reel — making 16-year old's 'dream come true'

MINNEAPOLIS — Alec Cabacungan waited patiently to meet the college basketball player he considers "once in a lifetime."

Duke superstar Zion Williamson and his 6-foot-7, 285-pound frame knelt down to greet Cabacungan in his wheelchair as the two posed for a photo and exchanged words for a few minutes in a feel-good moment right after the likely No. 1 NBA draft pick accepted hardware as the national player of the year. 

"I'm cheesin' right now," a giddy Cabacungan told USA TODAY Sports, unable to put away his smile. "That was just a dream come true." 

Cabacungan has osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bones disease, an illness that has caused him to have broken close to 70 bones in his lifetime. 

Moments before his heartwarming moment with Williamson, the 16-year-old Cabacungan joined reporters at Williamson's news conference and, representing Shriners Hospitals for Children as an ambassador, asked a question among the Final Four media members. 

"I honestly was so scared to ask that question," Cabacungan said. "But I knew if I didn't ask I was going to hate myself for the rest of my life. I did it. It worked out pretty well.

"It sounded smooth right?" 

Cabacungan aspires to be a sports broadcaster and he's gotten plenty of reps since 2014 when he became the face of Shriners by starring in national commercials for the hospital. Cabacungan, a Chicago resident, has been with the hospital since he was 2 months old and has undergone numerous surgeries, physical therapy hours, X-rays and clinical visits. He sees his work promoting Shriners as a calling. 

"I've broken over 60 bones in my lifetime," Cabacungan said. "I will live with this disability for the rest of my life. But internally I have to offset some of those things I wasn't born with. I try and become as smart as I can. I try to be as personable as I can. Sometimes people who have physical disabilities are viewed differently. That's one of my biggest struggles in life. 

"Meeting guys like Zion, they make me feel normal. They make me feel like I can do anything I set my mind to." 

Although Cabacungan admitted he hasn't always been a Duke fan, he said Williamson became his favorite player this season and he was disappointed he wouldn't be competing in the Final Four. 

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"Zion Williamson is a big man who can dribble like a point guard, stretch the floor, shoot the three once in a while," Cabacungan said, getting practice for his future on-air color commentary. "Then he'll dunk on you and you'll never forget it. He's a once-in-a-lifetime player. It was amazing to watch him in college. Whenever he plays, there's always a highlight of him doing something amazing.

"He just seems like the coolest guy. In the press conference, all his answers were humble. Coach K and the Duke squad, not a lot of people like them. But not a lot of people can hate on Zion Williamson. He's not arrogant. He's fun to watch."

Alec's father, Gil, said he's been blown away by his son's ability to connect with superstars on a "human basis." Cabacungan appeared on Inside The NBA and has a special relationship with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. 

"We've had to deal with a lot of setbacks over his lifetime -- medically and physically," Gil Cabacungan said. "We're just so happy and humbled that he exceeds our expectations daily. A lot of people see him as an inspiration because of his ability to show that you can achieve anything you set your mind to no matter what your setbacks."

After Cabacungan met Zion, he let the star know the immediate impact he'd have on his life. 

"Thanks Zion," Alec said. "My Instagram is going to be fire now." 

Walking away, Williamson gave the 16-year-old a nod. 

Alec's Instagram post was captioned, fittingly, as "brotherhood."